W-League Feature
Friday, May 16, 2014
TAMPA, Fla. – The W-League’s Western Conference has been ruled for the past two seasons by the LA Blues, who claimed the W-League Championship a season ago. After the merger between the Pali Blues and the LA Strikers in the offseason, that trend would appear to be set to continue, but it’s likely that challenges will come the Blues’ way from returning sides such as the Seattle Sounders Women, who claimed the title in 2011, and newcomers the Colorado Pride and Colorado Storm, who have both put together strong squads.
BAY AREA BREEZE: The Breeze struggled in their first season in the W-League, but have a new coach in Nick Lusson to lead them and a number of familiar faces set to return to try and make a move up the standings. Lusson brings a wealth of experience from the college ranks, while Leah Morales returns after scoring three goals a season ago. Goalkeeper Yiana Dimmit is also back after playing every minute a season ago, while 2013 All-League defender Danielle Johnson will provide protection on the back line.
COLORADO PRIDE: A newcomer to the league, the Pride appear set to hit the ground running with a number of players with international and prior W-League experience. Australian international Chloe Logarzo is at the forefront of the club’s inaugural roster, having played in the Australian W-League for Sydney FC, and she is joined by fellow Australians Ashley Spina and Tara Andrews in Colorado. Coach Daniel Clitnovici was also able to sign former Washington Spirit midfielder Holly King, while U.S. U20 international Mallory Webber arrives from Penn State.
COLORADO RUSH: The Rush had a difficult time in 2013, with the lone bright spot being Danica Evans, who earned All-Conference honors after six goals in 12 appearances. Evans returns this season and the Rush have added former U.S. international Megan Schnur to help bolster the side’s midfield. Other player to watch this season include a trio of U.S. Youth Internationals, with Lizzy Raben, Morgan Stanton and Gabbi Miranda – who claimed an NCAA Championship with UCLA last fall – all set to return to the squad.
COLORADO STORM: Formerly the Colorado Rapids Women, the Storm are set to be led into the club’s new era by Coach Mike Haas, who will have a large squad to pull from as he looks to improve on a .500 record a season ago. The club’s leading scorer a season ago, Kristen Hamilton, has joined the professional ranks with the NWSL’s Western New York Flash, and Haas will have to get the most out of a young squad as it looks to step into a higher level of competition.
LA BLUES: The defending champions have not only brought back a number of key members from last season’s squad, but also supplemented their squad thanks to the merger with the LA Strikers. Among those back for the Blues are All-Conference selections Sasha Andrews and Sarah Killion – who made her first appearance for the U.S. Women’s National Team this spring – and Killion’s UCLA teammates Abby Dahlkemper and Caprice Dydasco. Added to the group is Rachel Daly, an All-Conference selection for the Strikers a season ago, and goalkeeper Samantha Prudhomme, who had a 1.00 goals-against average in 2013.
SANTA CLARITA BLUE HEAT: The Blue Heat will look to rebound from a season where they gave up 27 goals in 12 games, and will try to do so with Division III National Player of the Year Claudia Lopez leading the way. Lopez will try to replace the absence of All-Conference selection Ana Borges, and had a standout fall as she scored 27 goals for NSCAA National Champions Cerritos College. Alexa Ngo returns to the team after making 10 appearances a season ago, while Long Beach State goalkeeper Kaci McCain joins the side to try and help it improve its defensive numbers.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS WOMEN: Edged into third place by the LA Strikers a season ago, the Sounders Women would appear on paper the biggest challengers to the Blues this season. The side added Canadian international Brittany Baxter for the new season, and England Under-21 international Emma Follis. Also joining the side are All-SEC selections Carolina Brown and Cara Ledman, and the University of Texas’ Brooke Gilbert, who appeared in all 20 games for the Longhorns last fall to earn All Big-12 honors.
SEDONA FC STRIKERS: The Strikers join the W-League with what appears to be a solid squad as it draws on a solid talent-base in Arizona. Mexican national team goalkeeper Esthefanny Barreras leads the notable names on the roster, which will be led by head coach Manny Arias. Also set to play for the Strikers is former Mexico U17 international Luz Duarte, and Mexican international Esmeralda Verdugo.